Over-the-counter weight loss with orlistat? [Journal Article]
Drug Ther Bull 2009 Nov; 47(11):125-7.
Orlistat first became available (as 120mg capsules [Xenical]) around 10 years ago as a prescription-only treatment for obesity.1 Earlier this year, orlistat 60mg capsules (alli - GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) became available for sale without a prescription to the public in the European Union. Orlistat 60mg is available in the UK as a Pharmacy (P) medicine and so can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) from pharmacies. OTC orlistat is promoted as a new weight loss aid, "boosting weight loss by 50%" when added to a reduced calorie, lower-fat diet. Here we review the place of OTC orlistat in tackling obesity.
More from this journal |
